Put it away for the night. Youve still got the end of a concussion and need rest. Something he wouldnt be getting much of tonight. After spending the evening watching her work, that much he knew for sure.
Dont I know it. Besides, except for one last run-through, I think Im near finished. Her eyelids fluttered closed, shades of exhaustion evident. But I have to finish tonight. She grabbed for the first book in their pile, the one that began the list of names, and fanned through. We have a growing list, but were no closer toKane? Her voice rose in excitement.
He sat forward in his seat. What is it?
Major change here. I dont know why I didnt notice it before. Look. All the earlier books were done in pencil, right?
He nodded. Not that hed have noticed if she hadnt pointed her familys quirk out earlier. Experts at crosswords did them in pen with no fear of mistakes.
But here-theres a mix of pencil and pen. She studied the book for a second and grabbed another, glancing through it. This one, too. Look.
He was beside her in an instant.
Here. Black ink instead of pencil. I dont know why I didnt notice it first time around.
I missed the change, too. He skimmed the pages of the remaining books. Same with these.
This is it, Kane. Its what I was looking for. Its my aunts clue.
What?
It was her way of letting us know she wasnt doing this willingly, Kane. Id bet my life on it.
He closed his eyes at the thought. He was getting damn tired of her life being on the line. She didnt need to remind him. Okay, lets say youre right.
I know Im right. When the guy grabbed me the other day, he mentioned money and when he called he mentioned the books. These books. She drew a deep breath. Not only do they have the names, which is incriminating enough, but maybe he knew Aunt Charlene was dropping clues.
Possible, Kane muttered.
So tell me why we cant find a trace of the money, she said with frustration.
Therere plenty of places to hide cash without the accountant knowing, he said. Offshore accounts, for one. Without a number theyre untraceable.
But this guy seems to believe I know where the money is. Why?
He shrugged. Impossible to know what theyre thinking. But they do want their take. Any clue in those books where the money could be hidden?
She shook her head. Just the names. No phone numbers, either, since these are all letter puzzles.
He shrugged. The money is something we might never find. Unless things unravel well at the end. My guess is the men in those books contacted someone at Charmed!, not vice versa. Too risky the other way. Your uncle probably took the calls.
My uncle? A grin edged the corners of her luscious mouth. That means you believe me-Aunt Charlene was being used or threatened.
Like I said, anything is possible, sweetheart. But the lists are extensive. At the very least, she knew what was going on. He hated like hell to remind her, but he didnt want her hurt more in the end because she hadnt considered the possibility.
She folded her arms across her chest. That doesnt mean she was a willing participant. I believe she had no choice.
Kane didnt know what to believe other than the fact that Kayla believed in her aunt. Hell, he didnt blame her. If hed had even one person to rely on in his life, he wouldnt want to give up hope, either.
He glanced at Kayla. He wanted to believe in her. But his job required proof. They didnt know what the change from pencil to pen meant. Maybe they never would.
She wasnt ready to count the older woman out yet. Kane groaned, wishing for her benefit she wasnt so naive. And yet that was what he loved about her
Kane coughed.
Are you okay?
He forced a nod and mentally changed topics. Whoever these clients contacted, they probably paid cash, your uncle supplied the women, took his share and cut his partner in on the rest.
The man we want.
Or woman, Kane reminded her. Remember the Mayflower Madam, for starters.
She nodded. They also want the books, which means these books. She lifted one in her hand.
Your uncles leverage, Kane said. With these in his possession, your uncle was guaranteed his take.
She glanced at her watch. Its been hours since the last call.
Its a waiting game. The more time that goes by, the more nervous youll get. They hope.
Well, theyre right. Im more than nervous. Just the thought of what could have happened, terrifies me.
Youve realized how dangerous it would be to get even more involved. Fear released its hold. He exhaled a rush of air, the first easy breath since shed announced her plans in the captains office hours earlier. Dont worry. Reid wont mind, he went on. We can work around it, use a decoy. Just remember, when he calls, keep him talking. Maybe we can trace it. Agree to a drop, not a face-to-face meeting and-
I havent changed my mind. She interrupted his instructions in a soft but determined voice.
But you just said
I admitted Im afraid. Im human. So sue me. But I havent changed my mind.
If youre shaky, itll show. Things could get messy. Go with your gut.
I am and my gut tells me I have to do this.
Dammit, why? He slammed his hand against the end table beside his chair until it rocked on unsteady legs. Hed roared. She didnt flinch. Not a sign he was even close to convincing her to opt out.
Look. He braced his hands on his legs and leaned forward in his seat. There are experienced people to do this for you. No risk. Why not take advantage?
She ran a hand through her hair. The soft strands fell back around her face, creating a vulnerability he knew was part real, part illusion. This woman was tougher than the softness on the outside revealed. It was just a part of why he was drawn to her.
Its my life thats been turned upside down and I want to be the one to get it back. She met his gaze. Like you, Ive been taking care of myself longer than I can remember. Its not in me to give up the job to someone else, even when it gets tough.
Dangerous, he countered.
Whatever.
Youd be relinquishing the job to professionals. Theres a difference.
Not to me. I gave up a decent job, with a decent salary and dreams of finishing school to run this family business. Because, despite it all, I love my family. Now I find out it might be a front for an escort service. Am I the only one who doesnt miss the irony here? I have to see this through to the end. And I have to clear my aunts name.
In her voice, Kane heard the same determination he felt on every case. In her eyes, he saw the same need to accomplish a goal. He respected it enough to want to know more. Just what irony are you talking about? he asked quietly.
She rose from the couch and crossed the room until she stood beside him. Her scent worked against his restraint, tantalizing his senses, seducing his soul.
Its proof, she whispered. Meeting his gaze, she lifted her hand, then let it drift downward, boldly outlining the rounded swell of her breast and the generous curve of her hips. Her nipples pressed taut and rigid beneath the cream-colored T-shirt shed changed into before dinner.
His mouth grew dry, his palms damp. Wanting Kayla wasnt new. It was as much a part of him as breathing. But right now, it was damned inappropriate. His brain registered the fact his pulsing body seemed determined to ignore.
With great difficulty, and even breathing, will-power won out. Proof of what? he asked in a hoarse voice.
This. Her hand traced her curves once more. This is an illusion.
A beautiful one. One that tormented him on a minute by minute basis.
Thinking back to their first meeting gave him a clue as to what she meant now. He recalled her inability to accept a compliment and her immediate withdrawal whenever he stared too long, or got too close. Hed gotten past those barriers, but not without effort.
He glanced at the body made for sin. But its not what counts, he said.
Youre the first person to recognize that. Appreciation lit her gaze and a warm smile lifted her lips. The knowledge that he could touch her on such a fundamental level pleased him.
Youre the first person to see beyond the bimbo.
He winced at her coarse put-down of herself.
Its one thing for me to run a charm school. Another for someone like me to take over what turns out to be an escort service or worse. I mean, look at me. The girl from the wrong side of the tracks, the girl they couldnt vote most likely to do anything, because they believed she already had. Of course, she and her family are behind a prostitution ring, she said with a brittle laugh.
Kane would like to go back in time. To beat the living daylights out of anyone who had even looked at her sideways. And if they had the nerve to put a finger on her body, or let her name pass through their lipsthen hed like to
She reached upward. Her fingertips traced what had to be a scowl creasing his forehead, then she smiled. Dont look so fierce. Her voice was lighter now. I grew up hearing it. Words cant hurt me anymore.
Her steady green gaze zeroed in on his. She pinned him in place with a searing look. But lack of faith in me, in my abilities, can. You can.
He didnt need an interpreter to understand. Hed just been suckered by the intelligent woman beneath the well-rounded curves. Hed been taken in by the best.
Kane shook his head. He had to admit, he was impressed. Hed never run into someone who could hold their own with him, let alone best him without much effort. He hated and respected her involvement with the case, all at the same time. Should he continue to fight her determination by opposing her plan, hed be no better than the scum who came before him. Men whod looked at the body and assumed Kayla was easy.
Kane knew better. She challenged him. She intrigued him. And though shed not only enticed him but seduced him on many levels, Kayla Luck was far from easy. Caught in a trap of his own making, he had no choice but to support her, back her and make damn sure he did his job.
No mistakes. No distractions allowed.
HER SHOWER FINISHED, Kayla puttered around the bedroom. The sun had set and only the small light of a lamp illuminated the room. She fluffed her pillows, then sat down on the edge of the mattress. Alone.
Just outside the closed door, she heard Kane prowling around the kitchen. Though she lived with her sister and was used to the sounds of another person in the house, Kanes presence lent a different feel. Anticipatory. Intimate.